Oklahoma approved a $75 million interchange for the Toby Keith Expressway near Newcastle, but the project needs at least six more properties.

Project Details

The Toby Keith Expressway is planned to connect Interstate 40 between Oklahoma and Shawnee to Interstate 44 by Newcastle. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority took another step forward in the process, approving a $75 million contract to build the interchange near Newcastle.

According to Joe Echelle, executive director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, the interchange will include new bridges, frontage roads, new on-and-off ramps at 24th Street, and a diverging diamond interchange. Construction on the new interchange will start late this summer into early fall.

However, to build the interchange, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority will have to acquire at least six additional properties. The agency is trying to negotiate with the owners, but they have approved the next steps in the legal process if those negotiations fall through.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.